Sarah*n*dipitous

My Favorite Vet

I have been watching the series by Ken Burns on PBS called the WAR ( I have gone through it a number of times now) and I simply stand in awe of our Country's greatest generation. I remember Ronald Reagan saying to a reporter who questioned his age by saying something to the extent, we all know while you were growing up, your generation didn't have television, computers, space travel...... Reagan didn't skip a beat a said, "Yeah, I know, we invented them." How true. The incredible innovation and technological advances that the WWII generation set in motion is something my generation simply cannot fathom or daresay, match. It seemed that then, they had a common goal, a unity about them and their discoveries and contributions were for a greater reasons than mere personal gain. They fought for a Nation, gave of themselves, and sacrificed so much for our freedom, our liberty, and our Republic. I am so very greatful to all the Men and Women who have served.

This Veteran's Day, I wanted to share with you my favorite Vet. My grandfather, Ret. Lt. Col. Francis Formolo (many of you know him through the Art Declassified Stamp I designed honoring him) is such an amazing man. Even as an adult I have yet to scratch the surface of all the incredible things he has done and seen during his lifetime. I am so very blessed to have him in my life and I am so grateful that my children have the opportunity to know him. Thank you Grandpa. Thank you for your service to our Great Nation, for your courage, your leadership, your character and the example you have given to me and my family.

Maggie's Scrapbooking!

What an amazing time we had at Maggie's Scrapbooking in Clarkston! Kerri is an amazing store owner and such an incredible hostess. Thank you so much for inviting me to your 2 year Birthday Party! I know that the folks who attended had a blast! I will post pictures when I get them.....

For those unfamiliar with Maggie's, they are right off of Sashabaw Road right where Sashabaw and I-75 intersect. It is a wonderful store filled with fellow paper/scrapping/crafting addicts who love talking about their addiction. I look forward to teaching there again.

Who is your Co-Pilot?

Making a living creating art takes guts. For me personally, I would not be able to do the things I do without my husband to pick up the slack (whether it is kitting classes, doing the laundry, making dinner, or just staying up all night with me as a companion so I do not fall asleep). I truly adore him and all the things he does for me.

Today while I was out and about, I saw a bunch of construction vehicles (for those living in Michigan, we all are way too familiar with the two seasons we have here....winter and construction....). I was stuck in traffic, not moving and this particular truck caught my eye. I had to laugh. My co-pilot is a man of steel too I suppose...wink...

8 Days a Week

I think their should be an imaginary 8th day in every week where everything we need to get done is magically accomplished. It would be so cool if deadlines just naturally extended themselves based on how full your calendar was that particular week and projects sitting on your studio table came together with ease. Okay, I interupt this reverie with a smack of the cold hard reality- we only have 7 days, our bodies need a natural rest here and there, our muse needs to be filled up once in a while instead of being constantly drained and, we need to be the master of our own calendars and accountable for our time..... this could mean that we *HAVE* to just say no to new projects....

The Road Less Taken

I love the road I live off of. Granted, the phone service is questionable, the power may or may not be on whenever the wind changes, and our space is shared with lots of wild critters that see nothing wrong with reminding us that they were here first (waving to the woodchucks under the deck, the raccoons that insist on knocking over the trash cans every night, the mouse that took up residence in my car dashboard for a spell, and the deer who think we planted our garden for them....)

As in the words of Robert Frost, I took the road less traveled and it has made all the difference.

Wonders Of Fall

Fall is my favorite season. The colors are nothing short of miraculous. I love the crispness in the air, warmed apple cider, pumpkin pie and mulling spices burning in a pot on the wood burning stove. I love the way you need a fleece to go for a walk, the honking of the Canadian geese as they fly by, the way the clear blue sky sets all the colors off in a perfect compliment. I know how some folks love the Fall but then think about the emminent Winter around the corner. I think I would rather opt to think of it as a lesson in how to live a vibrant life, how not to hold anything back and shine in wonderous colors as seasons change in our lives and bring new challenges. My favorite colors as of late are the Quinacridone Burnt Orange and Payne's Gray from Golden- they couple my moods and personify my favorite time of the year.